Cate Blanchett’s new film “Rumours” draws its name from the iconic Fleetwood Mac album. Directed by Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson, and Galen Johnson, the dark comedy revolves around a group of world leaders attending the G7 summit, who become lost in the woods while drafting a joint statement.
The film delves into themes of debauchery and explores romantic connections between some of the politicians.
“I did confirm something with Galen last night, and it’s weird that it never came up in rehearsal, which is: ‘Why the hell is this movie called Rumours?’” Blanchett said at the presser. “And my husband had said, ‘Is that after the Fleetwood Mac album?’ And you said, ‘Yes it was.’”
Galen Johnson mentioned that while considering potential names for the film, they had a list of the “10 best album names,” and “Rumours” was among them.
They ultimately chose it because they liked the sound and connotations associated with the name.
“‘Rumours’ the album was famously creatively fraught and everyone was sleeping with each other, so it made sense to us,” Galen Johnson continued. “No one questioned it. We thought people, producers and financiers, would be like, ‘Why “Rumours”?’ But no one ever questioned it, so it just made the title.”
“Rumours” received a four-minute standing ovation at its premiere on Saturday night, with Cate Blanchett delighting the crowd by blowing kisses.
The audience embraced the film’s dark humor, laughing throughout the late-night screening. Alongside Blanchett, the star-studded cast
includes Alicia Vikander, Charles Dance, Roy Dupuis, Denis Ménochet, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Rolando Ravello, Takehiro Hira, and Zlatko Burić. The film is being screened out of competition at Cannes.
Co-director Guy Maddin is renowned for his experimental filmmaking style and is one of Canada’s most celebrated filmmakers.
His notable works include “The Saddest Music in the World” (2003) and “My Winnipeg” (2007). Alongside Evan Johnson and Galen Johnson, Maddin co-directed “The Green Fog” (2017), a film that revisited Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” using found footage.
Cate Blanchett, who stars in “Rumours,” previously graced the Croisette for Todd Haynes’ “Carol” (2015), earning a Best Actress nomination at the Oscars.
In 2018, she served as the jury president of the Cannes Film Festival. Alicia Vikander, another cast member, was last at Cannes for Karim Aïnouz’s “Firebrand,” which competed for the Palme d’Or.
“Rumours” is produced by Square Peg, Buffalo Gal Pictures, and Maze Pictures.
